Sunday, October 31, 2010

So you’re thinking you want to learn woodworking? Woodworking can be a fun and satisfying hobby, but it can also be quite frustrating. In a world filled with massproduced, poorly crafted pieces of furniture, it can be a thrill to produce a piece made with your own two hands.

Take a few pieces of wood, some tools, and your imagination, and you can make beautiful pieces of furniture.
The possibilities with carpentry are endless. Even the most inexperienced person can learn woodworking and turn out gorgeous pieces that can become heirlooms.

Woodworking as a hobby is growing in popularity – especially among the female population. More and more
women are taking a new interest in jig saws and power drills as they turn out accessories and furniture for their homes.

The term “woodworking” literally refers to the process of building, making or carving something using wood. Kind of obvious, isn’t it? But there are all types of pieces that can be made using wood – not just furniture! You can make toys, toy boxes, or carved figurines. It can truly become an art form.

So where and how does an aspiring woodworker begin? Many people benefit greatly from taking a class at the local college or community center. Others prefer to read a book or magazine. Still others prefer to just jump right in.

There’s no one right way to start. It depends on how much experience you have with using the tools essential to woodworking.

Woodworking is not nearly as daunting as it may seem. It is not necessary to spend a fortune on tools and supplies. Many projects can be done with a minimum investment and your imagination!

Woodworking is a huge hobby, with the number of active participants estimated by some within the industry at between seven and eleven million strong. Each brings their own set of capabilities and interests that often make specific techniques more applicable in their situation. As long as the techniques chosen are safe, and produce the desired results, they are right for them.

Here I would like to introduce you to basic woodworking terms, getting started with a stocked shop, carving out your workspace, and introducing you to some basic woodworking projects. We will concentrate mainly in
here on building pieces of furniture. Once you get the hang of this, you can get more in-depth with carving, etc. as you learn to better use your tools.

It is not a comprehensive, definitive guide, but a good way to get started crafting your own projects and learning the satisfaction of making your own furniture, toys, and much more!